KCHC May Newsletter

Kentucky Coalition For Healthy Children Newsletter

Issue 48 | May 2026

Working collaboratively on policies and practices in and around schools that promote equity and improve the physical, social, and emotional health and well-being of children, youth, and families.

The opinions and viewpoints expressed in this newsletter do not necessarily reflect the positions of all coalition partners.

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KCHC Member Highlights

Webinar | A Celebration of School Nurses

Alliance for a Healthier Generation is hosting a webinar on May 6 to celebrate the vital role school nurses play in advancing student wellness. It will explore practical strategies for supporting school nurse well‑being, including best practices for self‑care, stress management, and sustaining joy in the profession. People can also nominate a school nurse for recognition during the event. More information can be found here.

Training | Spiritual First Aid

The Bounce coalition is hosting a free, in-person training on Spiritual First Aid. Designed for faith and community groups, this session offers practical, trauma-informed tools to support individuals facing mental and emotional challenges. Participants will receive hands-on instruction, along with a workbook and field guide to strengthen their ability to support children, adolescents, and adults in their communities. The training will take place May 15, 2026, 9:00 AM-4:00 PM in Louisville at the offices of Kentucky Youth Advocates. Register here.

Webinar Series│ State & Federal Policy Updates

Join the ThriveKY Coalition’s webinar series for important updates on the economy, Medicaid, KCHIP, SNAP, housing, transportation, child care, public health, and behavioral health. A virtual program is being held this month on May 18. For more information about the series, CEUs, and how to register- click here.

Workshop | Active Living

Join Bike Walk Kentucky and the Kentucky State Physical Activity and Nutrition Program (SPAN) for the Big Sandy Active Living Workshop: Creating Walkable & Bike-Friendly Communities on May 21 in Prestonsburg. This free workshop is designed for community members, local officials, public health professionals, planners, advocates, and anyone interested in making their community safer and more active. More details and registration information can be found here.

Training │Trauma-Informed Care for Trainers

The Department for Behavioral Health, Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities (DBHDID) has announced a virtual Trauma-Informed Care Training for Trainers (TIC TOT), taking place over two days: Tuesday, June 23, 2026, and Wednesday, June 24, 2026, from 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM (ET) each day. Registration will open May 21, 2026, with only 50 spots available. For information regarding this training, please contact Brittany Barber at brittanya.barber@ky.gov.

Symposium | Improving Population Health Through Chronic Disease Prevention

Join the Kentuckiana Health Collaborative and the Kentucky Department for Public Health Physical Activity and Nutrition Program for a forum to explore how healthcare stakeholders can strengthen chronic disease prevention by expanding access to nutrition and physical activity support, improving connections between clinical and community resources, and advancing policies that promote supportive environments. The event is being held on June 3 in Frankfort. Download the flyer for more details.

Funding Opportunity | Partnerships for Success

The Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky is accepting applications for one of its pass-through grant programs. Partnerships for Success Grants aim to provide funding that enhances and supports evidence-based strategies to prevent alcohol, nicotine (including vaping), and cannabis use/misuse in communities that are at higher risk in Kentucky. Applications are due June 15, 2026. Learn more and apply here.

Kentucky Behavior Institute 2026 | Registration Open

The Kentucky Council for Children with Behavioral Disorders is hosting the Kentucky Behavior Institute 2026 on June 15-16 in Louisville. It will offer sessions designed for every educator, including Back to Basics, Positive & Proactive Classrooms and sessions for Administrators (new and seasoned). Attendees can choose sessions that best meet their needs and take away practical strategies to use immediately in their classrooms and schools. Learn more and register here.

Summit | Advancing Lactation Care Through Collaboration

The 2026 Lactation and Collaboration Summit hosted by the Kentuckiana Lactation Improvement Coalition is being held June 22-23 in Louisville. This two-day summit brings together lactation professionals, healthcare providers, public health leaders, and community organizations who are actively shaping how families are supported during pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum period. More information is available here.

What's New in Children's Health

Strong Families, Healthier Kids

A new research brief from Georgetown University’s Thrive Center for Children, Families, and Communities highlights how closely children’s mental health is tied to family wellbeing. In the brief Family Mental Health and Early Childhood, the researchers stress how millions of U.S. families are affected, and children with mental, emotional, or behavioral challenges are much more likely to face added risks and long-term mental health struggles. Researchers emphasize that supporting families as a whole is key to improving children’s development and long-term health. Because families provide stability, care, and support across generations, strengthening family wellbeing can help prevent problems and promote healthier futures for children.

Many Parents Unaware of Tobacco Age Law

Pediatrics, the Journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics, has published a Stanford University research brief Parent Knowledge of the US Tobacco 21 Law. The law, passed in 2019, raised the legal age to buy tobacco products from 18 to 21 to reduce teen use.

However, from a survey of over 2,000 parents, the brief found that over half the parents of youth 13-17 were unable to accurately state the federal minimum age for legal tobacco purchases in the U.S. This lack of awareness is especially concerning among parents, who play an important role in preventing youth tobacco use.

If parents don’t understand the law, they may be less likely to talk to their children about it or set clear expectations. The study suggests that improving public awareness could help strengthen efforts to keep teens from using tobacco.

Corporal Punishment Still Allowed in Some U.S. Schools

An article published in Oxford Academic’s Children & School Journal, Corporal Punishment in U.S. Public Schools: A Review of State Bans reviews state laws on corporal punishment (physical discipline) in U.S. public schools. Researchers found that 18 states still allow it, while 32 have banned it, though some of those still permit limited physical force to control students.

The study also found a contradiction: all states that allow corporal punishment also promote trauma-informed education, which aims to protect student well-being.

Overall, the laws are inconsistent, and despite evidence of harm, corporal punishment remains legal in over a third of states. The authors call for clear, nationwide bans to better protect students.

In Your Community

Empowering Youth to Overcome Barriers to Education

In Louisville, a quiet but powerful effort is underway to support young people whose educational journeys have been interrupted by challenges far beyond the classroom. The Book Works project, founded in 2009 as the Emerging Workforce Initiative, is dedicated to advocating for and alongside youth and young adults facing barriers such as mental and behavioral health struggles, academic gaps, trauma, discrimination, and economic hardship.

At its core, The Book Works focuses on three key strategies: conducting research to better understand why young people disconnect from school, providing direct programs that help them succeed academically and personally, and building partnerships that expand equitable access to education and mental health services.

The organization works with young people ages 12 to 21 across Jefferson County who are either attending or trying to return to middle or high school. Many of these students have experienced significant disruptions in their education, often tied to complex challenges like chronic exposure to violence, financial instability, or unmet learning needs.

How The Book Works Helps

The Book Works meets students where they are, both literally and figuratively. Through community-based Education Engagement Hubs located in under-resourced neighborhoods, youth receive structured, supportive environments during school hours if they are absent, suspended, or otherwise disconnected from school.

In these hubs, students work one-on-one and in small groups with trained staff to:

Set personal and academic goals
Build social-emotional skills
Complete schoolwork
Access resources that address underlying challenges

Beyond the hubs, Education Advocates play a critical role. They partner with students and families to navigate complex systems, helping with school re-enrollment, credit recovery, special education services, and disciplinary processes. The goal is not just to return students to school, but to ensure they have the support needed to succeed.

The organization has also developed a first-of-its-kind, 40-hour Education Advocacy training tailored specifically to the needs of “off-track” youth in Louisville. This training has been offered at no cost to community partners working with young people involved in foster care or the justice system.

Building Community Partnerships

Recognizing that no single organization can tackle these challenges alone, The Book Works actively collaborates with local and state systems. They participate in and convene workgroups alongside partners such as Jefferson County Public Schools and agencies connected to juvenile justice and child welfare. These collaborations aim to improve access to critical mental health and educational supports for vulnerable youth.

As the needs of young people in Louisville continue to grow, organizations like The Book Works are stepping in with compassion, expertise, and a commitment to equity, helping ensure that every young person has a path forward, no matter where they start.

Take Action!

Help Families Stay on Track with Infant Vaccines

National Infant Immunization Week was this past April 20-27, constituting a timely reminder that vaccines protect babies from serious, preventable illnesses. In Kentucky, where infant vaccination rates are below the national average and cases of measles are reappearing, clear and trusted information is especially important.

Organizations can play a key role by helping families understand what’s recommended and how to stay on schedule. You can also direct families to reliable resources like the American Academy of Pediatrics Recommended Child and Adolescent Immunization Schedule. Also, encourage parents to check their child’s records through the Kentucky Immunization Registry and talk with their healthcare provider if they have questions.

By sharing accurate, easy-to-understand information, your organization can help families feel confident and keep Kentucky’s youngest residents healthy.